Energizing Quote

Hello Joyful Speechies!

The mornings are getting darker and colder. The last signs of summer are slipping away and the warm season is becoming a memory. Personally, this has been making me feel a bit sluggish, regardless of the beauty of autumn. I wanted to combat the darkening feelings with an energizing quote!

"I want to inspire people.

I want someone

to look at me and say,

'Because of you, I didn't give up.'"

- Unknown

Joyful Speech and Language

I also have a challenge for you! Do something nice for a co-worker by the end of this week. For example, I am bringing in Starbucks coffee for the SPED team tomorrow. But you could do something like writing down something nice and handing it off in the hallway or just giving an unexpected compliment. Get creative! Let's fight the Thursday-Blues together!

Joyfully,

We did it! TpT Sale Announcement

Good afternoon Joyful Speechies!

We made it to 50 followers on TpT and as promised there will be a 20% off sale going on tomorrow, October 11, 2016 through October 17, 2016.

Thank you and enjoy!

Joyfully,

Healthy Work Snacks

Hello Joyful Speechies!

I'm going to share my favorite snacks at work:

1. Popcorn



Popcorn Popper



How cute is this personal popcorn popper? It's glass and microwaveable! I purchased this from Williams-Sonoma after hearing that pre-packaged microwaveable popcorn is not the best for you. Plus it gets expensive buying box after box. For this, you just need to buy a big container of popping kernels.

Popping Kernels

Make sure to pop it and give it time to cool if you want to eat it out of the glass container. I'll pop it in the morning when I get to work, so it's ready to go when I want it later. If you don't have a microwave in your office, then make sure to grab it carefully to set somewhere to cool. I make 1/4 cup of yellow kernels for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, with no butter.

(Side note: I was never that into eating popcorn until I realized it tastes awesome when you dip it into Frank's Buffalo Sauce.)

2. Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed Snack

Roasted Seaweed Snack

There are probably other brands out there, but I always stock up on the two kinds Trader Joe's offers: Salted and Wasabi flavored.

3. Wasabi Peas

Wasabi Peas

These little guys pack a powerful punch, so watch out! I personally love spicy, so these are perfect for me. But, if you can't take the heat there are also brands that sell them using a mustard mix, which make them much less potent. If you don't like spicy, I find that Trader Joe's version of Wasabi Peas to be milder and more mustard-flavored.

4. Atkins Mocha Latte Shake

Atkins Mocha Latte Shake

Unfortunately there's no Starbucks in my school. So, I've found that this Atkins drinks makes a nice treat on days I'm craving something chocolate. It doesn't have very much caffeine, so if you're looking for a pick-me-up, you might want to just go ahead and brew yourself a cup of coffee (or maybe try mixing the two!).

5. Coffee

 

Black and Decker "Brew-N-Go"

I have a Black and Decker "Brew-N-Go" in my office and I am very impressed with it.

6. Unsalted Almonds and Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

 

 

Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

 

Unsalted Whole Almonds

Whole Foods sells bags of Unsweetened Coconut Flakes that I put in bags with a few tablespoons of unsalted almonds. It's a super tasty treat, because without all of the added salt and sugar you can taste the natural sweetness of the coconut flakes. And I LOVE coconut!

7. Chickpea Snack

 

Chickpea Snacks

These are delicious! There are so many different flavors out there too! My personal favorite are the Biena Spicy Chickpea snacks, which I find at Target.

8. Vitalicious Energy Loaves

 

 

Vitalicious Energy Loaves

My mom introduced me to Vitalicous. It's a brand that packs vitamins, fiber, and protein into their products. These loaves are so nice as a morning snack with coffee. It's almost like eating a mini-cake! Vitalicious also makes muffin tops and other things, so check them out! I can find them at my local Target.

I hope I gave you some healthy snacking ideas! Let me know in the comments below if you have more things for me to try!

Joyfully,

How I am Avoiding my Yearly Sinus Infection While Still Working at School With Children

Hello Joyful Speechies,

It's not just coming... IT'S HERE.

"The Sickness" has already taken out a few of my SPED teachers and many students. Scream with me, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" The various colds and flus have gathered together since school opened a month ago and the germs have covered every inch of our school. Or so this is how I imagine it. A blanket of germs engulfing every surface.

I have been the un-wanted receiver of an earth-shaking sinus infection for the past 5 Octobers. FIVE. And let me tell you, "sinus infection" is such a misnomer. It should be called the "Exhausting-Nose-Plugging-Pressure-And-Headache-Head-Explosion-No-Sleep-Body-Aching-Face-Swollen" Infection.

No. Joke.

I feel you, Hermione Granger.

Turns out we need air to LIVE. A sinus infection takes away our beautiful power to breath and therefore causes all these other lovely side effects.

I don't want to use TWO sick days immediately into the school year. No more! I'm taking action. And I'm already kind of a germaphobe at school, so this is saying something!



And now, I'm no doctor, so whatever I say you can take with a grain of salt. But here is how I'm attempting to avoid Urgent Care this year...

1. Airborne Dual Action. I've been taking it every. single. day. since about September 28.

Airborne Dual Action

2. Blowing nose after hot showers. This was recommended to me by one of my professors in school. Get rid of those stagnant germs living in your nose!

3. NeilMed Sinuagtor. It's like a Netti-Pot, but powered up! And Netti-Pots never work for me, but this thing does! I cannot believe this thing doesn't have five stars on Amazon, but I guess to each his own!

NeilMed Sinuagtor

4. Washing my hands and using hand sanitizer all day, every day. Bye, bye, germs!

5.  Clorox wiping the heck out of my room. Computer? Yep. Door handles? Yep. Table tops, chairs, desks, door? Yep, yep, yep, yep! I heard they make Hydrogen Peroxide wipes/cleaner were actually the best to get rid of germs, but I've never tried them.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes - the green kind is my favorite!

Clorox Hydrogen Peroxide Wipes

6. Oil Diffuser - A second grade teacher recommended this to me. Apparently there are essential oils that actually kill off germs. She has one in her classroom and highly recommended it to me. So naturally, I immediately got this cute panda one and a larger color-changing one. This Four Thieves stuff is actually supposed to KILL the germs.

Panda Diffuser

HAMSWAN Essential Oil Diffuser

Four Thieves Bandits Anti-Germ Powerful Germ Killer Essential Oil Blend

7. Nasal Steamer - This is something I got to steam my face before doing at-home facials, and it came with this bonus nasal steamer. Sweet! I just put my nose near the stream of hot steam and then blow my nose. It's very similar to stepping out of a hot shower. Plus, you can also give yourself a little facial afterwards with a nose strip or a face mask. Bonus "you-time!"

Beauty Chic Facial Sauna (and Nasal Steamer!)

8. Focusing on the MOST important basics - Get sleep, water, and try to not be stressed. I usually get sick right after I run myself into the ground by working too much and not sleeping. The mission is to sleep and let my body heal and keep the immune system up and running!

And should the worse thing happen ever- I receive a Sinus Infection, I will be taking Mucinex-D (for you know-the mucus), Ibuprofen (for the swelling), drinking TONS of water (to help with drainage), likely contacting Urgent Care for some good old antibiotics, and praying I won't have to use the usual TWO precious sick days.

Joyfully,

Therapy Idea -- Invisible Ink Pens

Hello Joyful Speechies!

I'm here with a fun idea for therapy! Three words: invisible ink pens.

The link will take you to the exact pens I purchased from Amazon. The ink is clear and each pen cap has a light so you can see the ink.

They aren't that expensive and I love the little cartoons on the side- perfect for the little ones. Fun!


Invisible Ink Pens

Obviously, the ink is clear so the students won't be able to see what they're writing as they write it. So for students with fine motor difficulties or that find writing a challenge, perhaps use it for more of a simple drawing or "revealing" activity.

 

A quick brainstorm of how to use in therapy:

1. Outline drawings or play connect the dots with a speech and language activity.

2. Write the answers to the work and have students reveal the truth with the light.

3. Have the students write a "secret" note, or you can write a "secret" note to them following short segments of work for them to have a surprise after each segment to keep them motivated.

I'm sure there are more ways to use the pens. How would you use the invisible ink pens in therapy?

Joyfully,

TpT Feature: Speech Homework for the ENTIRE Year and 50 Followers Sale Details

Hello Joyful Speechies,

Have you seen your new "Speech Homework for the ENTIRE School Year" in the Teachers Pay Teacher's store? Check it out! The reviews have been spectacular for the Summer packet, so I hope this one brings you value too!



Speech Homework AND Word Lists for the Entire School Year

This packet was specially created because I needed something that fit the needs of my students and their parents.

It's super special because I included word lists that you can send home. This leaves no guesswork for the students' homework helpers on what the job is for that day.

Each week includes ONE homework assignment the student can complete with a homework partner. I tried to make them fun and enjoyable for all.

You just have to print and go. Our favorite kind of material, easy-peasy!

PLUS- once I reach 50 followers in the Teachers Pay Teachers store, I will throw a 20% off sale. So go "follow" the store if you haven't yet! You go to the store homepage and click the "follow" button. We're only ONE PERSON away, so it shouldn't be too hard to reach the goal!

I hope you all enjoy!

Joyfully,

Peaceful Quote

Good evening,

Quotes provide me inspiration, comfort, and remind me of important things, and I'm hoping they do the same for you.

Today I want to share a quote that makes me feel peaceful after a long day of work, work, work. It reminds me that the evening and night is time for us to re-boot and not to bring home our work and keep at it. Don't forget to take a moment for you, because you're important too!



 

"Think in the morning.

Act in the noon.

Eat in the evening.

Sleep in the night."

-William Blake

Joyful Speech and Language

 

Joyfully,